Whenever we have some news from the brewery or any of our pubs, we’ll be sure to post it here. Look out for lots of stories coming up, reporting on events and anything else we think might be of interest to you!
Where does the time go? 1st April 1991 was my first day of employment at Hooky. I had of course worked school holidays in the past, but after just over a year working at Randalls Brewery in Jersey, this was the start of my full-time employment. First task, improve quality control. Our microbioligical control consisted […]
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Join us at The Falcon, Thame on Thursday 2nd April 2026, 5pm – 7pm, as we launch our brand-new April seasonal cask ale – Spring Light (3.2%). Spring Light is hazy, zesty, and effortlessly refreshing, bringing bright grapefruit notes with a gentle hint of coriander spice, capturing the feeling of a fresh spring breeze. It’s a […]
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Hook Norton Brewery is proud to announce, “Days Like These,” a new limited-edition cask ale brewed to mark James Clarke’s 35 years working at the brewery. The 3.5% ABV beer – matching the years of his dedication – is crafted by James alongside his son and lead brewer, Ed Clarke. The beer revives the recipe […]
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Old Hooky arrives early to it’s 50th Anniversary Celebrations with Silver at the “Oscars of Brewing” Next year marks the 50th anniversary of Old Hooky, the iconic ale from Hook Norton Brewery, and the celebrations have already begun after the beer picked up a Silver Medal at the 2026 International Brewing & Cider Awards — […]
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We are raising a glass to our friends at the Charlbury Riverside Festival, who have just been named the Best Regional Celebration of Local Talent (South East England) in the UK Enterprise Awards! As the official beer supplier for the festival bar, Hook Norton Brewery is incredibly proud to partner with an event that shares […]
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Three brave members of our sales team, Giles, Derek & Chrissie, set off on a Cellar Awareness Course. Clipboards at the ready, name badges on, coffee in hand. What followed was a thorough, practical, no-nonsense deep dive into the mysterious underworld of the cellar — with a very healthy dose of “this is why safety […]
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In a business that spans nearly two centuries, the secret to longevity isn’t just a great recipe—it is the people behind the pour. Hook Norton Brewery is proving that while its history is rooted in 1849, its future is being built on a gold-standard approach to modern training. A Legacy of Learning Managing Director James […]
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Managing Director James Clarke provides a behind-the-scenes look at the unique challenges—and rewards—of maintaining heritage and production within our Victorian brewery In 2015, we started a project to restore part of the old Maltings on-site, following the successful opening of the Visitor Centre in 1999. We added a restaurant and function facility to enhance the […]
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It was a night of double celebration at the brewery yesterday evening as we hosted our popular monthly Open Tap night and officially toasted to a prestigious new accolade for one of our best-loved heritage ales. We are delighted to announce that Hooky Mild was named a finalist in the 2025 CAMRA Champion Beer of […]
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Foodies and ale lovers are in for a treat as the historic White Hart Royal Hotel joins forces with Hook Norton Brewery for a masterclass in flavour. On Thursday, 19th February 2026, the hotel will host “An Evening of Heritage & Hops,” a specialised event dedicated to the art of pairing craft beer with fine […]
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In the heart of the Cotswolds, where the scent of malt has drifted through the air since 1849, a revolution is taking place. But at Hook Norton Brewery, change doesn’t come at the expense of heritage; it serves to protect it. Known globally for its iconic Victorian “tower” design and the Shire horses that still […]
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Hook Norton Brewery MD James Clarke thoughts on the similarities shared between the church and the pub. We are fortunate to have lots of facilities here at the brewery, including meeting and reception rooms. We recently hosted a meeting of the Deanery Synod, and I was asked to give a brief introduction and overview of […]
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